California

California's Energy Commission decided on Friday to set aside for a temporary period penalties for excessive refinery profits, which were adopted in response to the rise of gasoline prices over $8 per gallon by 2022. The delay of five years in implementing penalties comes at a time when Phillips 66 Los Angeles refinery prepares to start shutting down production next week, ahead of a complete closure. California's Democratic governor Gavin Newsom proposed the penalties but has now changed direction due to fears of price spikes after 2026 following the closure of a Phillips 66 plant and a Valero Energy Corp....

Data from oil analytics company Kpler revealed that fuel importers in California received gasoline from Saudi Arabia’s Jubail industrial port after maintenance at India's world's biggest refinery helped to open up the rare arbitrage. Kpler reports that three gasoline shipments, totaling 886,000 barrels, from Saudi Arabia's Jubail industrial port have been discharged at Southern California's Olympus terminals in the last few months. California hadn't imported fuel from Saudi Arabia since the year 2022. In 2025, about 40% of the gasoline imported by the terminal came from Jamnagar. This was because Jamnagar had a maintenance shutdown in April. Yui Torikata, Kpler's...

Phillips 66 is expected to lay off most workers at its 139,000-barrel-per-day Los Angeles-area refinery in December, sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday. The company announced that it would shut down the facility in October and start winding down its operations in October 2025. Two months later, the company will start reducing its workforce. About 600 employees work at the Los Angeles facility, along with 300 contractors. The United Steelworkers Union represents over half of the hourly employees. Sources said that a few of the retained employees will be transferred to Phillips 66 Los Angeles Marine Oil Terminal....

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported on Monday that California drivers pay more at the pump due to issues with supply, environmental compliance, fuel requirements and high state taxes. The latest data shows that in March, environmental programs like Cap-and-Trade, Low Carbon Fuel Standard and Cap-and-Trade added $0.54 per gallon to the cost of gasoline. EIA reported that California consumers pay $0.90 per gallon, or the highest amount in the nation, in taxes and fees, as of March. Why it's important California is the biggest gasoline market in the United States, but many fuelmakers have closed less profitable stations citing...

The U.S. Supreme Court appeared to be sympathetic to fuel producers' bid to challenge California's vehicle emission standards and electric cars in an air pollution case under federal law. This is a case that involves the Democratic-governed State's ability to combat greenhouse gases. The Justices heard arguments from a Valero Energy sub-division and groups representing the fuel industry in their appeal of a lower courts ruling that they did not have the legal standing required to challenge the 2022 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's decision to allow California to set its own rules, separate from the federal government. Both conservative and...

Sources familiar with the plant's operations on Monday said that a fluidic catalytic cracked (FCC) in Motiva Enterprises refinery Port Arthur, Texas is expected to be closed for at least two weeks following a second failed restart attempt last weekend. On January 21, the unit called FCC3 and an alkylation was shut down for a planned two-month overhaul. FCCs transform gas oil into unfinished fuel, while alkylation systems convert refinery byproducts into components that are typically added to gasoline. Motiva didn't immediately respond to a comment request. Sources said that the second attempt to restart FCC3, which is capable of...

President Donald Trump's. administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday to place on. hold prepared arguments in a quote by fuel manufacturers to challenge. California's requirements for car emissions and electric vehicles. under a federal air pollution law. The brand-new Republican politician administration likewise made similar demands in. three other cases involving the actions of federal firms,. providing an early indication that it will take a fresh look at a. variety of legal concerns before the court and possibly change. positions from Trump's Democratic predecessor Joe Biden. The anticipated modifications in the federal government's position might be a. closer...

LyondellBasell Industries will begin the irreversible closure of its 263,776 barrelperday Houston refinery this coming weekend, said people knowledgeable about plant operations. Layoffs of approximately 400 workers at the refinery are set up to begin two months after the shutdown begins, the sources stated. A Lyondell representative did not immediately respond to a. request for remark. Lyondell plans to transform existing hydrotreaters at the. refinery site along the Houston Ship Channel for usage with. equipment to be included after 2027 to produce plastic pellets from. recycled plastic items. Lyondell said in November shuttering the refinery would. begin in January and...

The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday revealed the creation of a relief fund to assistance and restore small businesses affected by the wildfires that have damaged parts of Los Angeles for the past week. The Chamber will provide grants ranging from $5,000. to$ 10,000 as a direct support together with disaster recovery. webinars and business encouraging support to guide through the. reconstructing phase. The monstrous fires have actually killed a minimum of 25 individuals, harmed. or ruined nearly 12,000 structures and taken in a location the. size of Washington, D.C. already. Some 6.5 million individuals remained under...

Exxon Mobil submitted a lawsuit on Monday against California Attorney General Rob Bonta and several ecological groups, court records reveal, accusing them of defaming and disparaging the oil giant's advanced plastics recycling initiatives. The suit signifies how Exxon is significantly resisting against ecologists and other critics, who have long brought lawsuits versus the company declaring its participation in environment change and rising greenhouse gas emissions. Submitted in federal court in Beaumont, Texas, the claim implicated Bonta and the activists of disparaging Exxon's advanced recycling technology. Exxon implicated Bonta of acting in concert with Australian business rivals of the oil giant....

Chevron said on Tuesday that California's just recently enacted legislation on oil refineries requiring to maintain minimum fuel stocks was flawed, according to a letter sent by the business to state Congress members. California, the most populous U.S. state, consistently experiences a few of the nation's greatest average gas costs, causing a frequently tense relationship between the state and oil business. It is geographically isolated from the U.S. Gulf Coast and Midwest refining centers, and need to produce all its own motor fuels or import them from Asia. In the letter from Andy Walz, president of Chevron's. Downstream, Midstream and...

A grand jury has actually arraigned Phillips 66 for illegally releasing numerous countless gallons of industrial wastewater into Los Angeles County's sewer system, and failing to report the violations to authorities. The indictment versus the Houston-based energy business consists of four counts of knowingly breaking the federal Tidy Water Act and two counts of negligently breaching that law, U.S. Lawyer Martin Estrada in Los Angeles stated on Thursday. Phillips 66 is anticipated to be arraigned in the coming weeks in Los Angeles federal court. It faces a maximum sentence of five years probation on each count, and $2.4 million in...

The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Friday that it had sued California to stop the state from enforcing emissions standards for trucks. The DOJ announced that it had filed two lawsuits in federal court this week against the California Air Resources Board regarding the state's enforcement on preempted emission standards through the so-called Clean Truck Partnership with heavy-duty trucks and engine manufacturers. In a press release, the DOJ said that these actions "promote President Donald J. Trump’s commitment to ending the electric vehicle mandate, leveling the regulatory playing fields, and promoting consumer choice in motor cars." Four major truckmakers...

Vermont Governor Phil Scott suspended the state's requirements for electric vehicles sales in passenger cars, medium- and heavy-duty trucks and on Tuesday amid concerns over the feasibility of California's zero-emission rules. Vermont is among 11 states, including New York, Maryland, and Massachusetts, that have adopted California’s zero-emission vehicle rule, which aims to eliminate the sale of gasoline only vehicles by 2035. California's rule requires that 35% of the light-duty cars in 2026 be zero-emission vehicles. Scott cited automakers' warnings that the EV regulations could restrict the supply of gas-powered cars to dealers in the State. Scott said, "It is clear...

The U.S House of Representatives has voted to block California's historic plan to stop the sale of only gasoline vehicles by 2035, which was adopted by 11 states. The House has backed legislation that will repeal the waiver granted by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, under the former president Joe Biden, in December. This waiver allowed California to mandate 80% electric cars by 2035. Major automakers urged this action because the rules were not feasible. California claims the rules are necessary to reduce pollution, and that the vote was illegal. California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that the program is crucial to...

California Governor Gavin Newsom directed state officials in California to increase efforts to ensure reliable fuel supplies to the nation's largest auto market. This prompted oil companies to blame state policy for difficult business conditions, and high pump prices. Newsom's April 21 letter to California Energy Commission vice chair Siva Gunda was seen by us on Wednesday. This came just days after Valero Energy announced that it would permanently close or restructure the refinery in Benicia by April 2026. Benicia refinery represents about 9% state crude oil refining capability. Newsom wrote: "I am writing to ask you to intensify the...

The U.S. House of Representatives will vote next week on the Republican plan to repeal Biden's approval of California’s landmark plan that would end the sale of only gasoline vehicles by 2035. The office of House Majority leader Steve Scalise said that on Wednesday, lawmakers would vote to repeal the waiver given by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in December to California allowing it to mandate at minimum 80% electric cars by 2035. These rules have also been adopted by 11 other states. The question remains as to whether Congress has the power to revoke the waiver under the Congressional...

Atmospheric Rivers are storms that look like rivers in the skies. They can produce massive amounts of rainfall, cause flooding and mudslides, and even result in death and property damage. This article explains how they are formed, their size, and possible impacts. WHAT IS A ATMOSPHERIC RIVE? This weather system is present all over the globe. The weather system begins when tropical oceans are carried to land by a jetstream. As air rises it cools down and condenses resulting in snow or rain. According to NASA, they form most often in oceans at mid-latitudes, between 30 and 60 degrees north...

Musicians Billie Eilish, Girl Gaga, Joni Mitchell and Jelly Roll will take the stage with other huge names at wildfire relief performances in Los Angeles this month, organizers stated on Thursday. Other acts for the fundraisers called FireAid consist of Green Day, Gracie Abrams, Katy Perry, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sting and Stevie Nicks. Dave Matthews and John Mayer will perform together for the first time. The programs are arranged for Jan. 30 at the Intuit Dome and the Kia Online Forum in Inglewood, simply beyond Los Angeles. They will be revealed reside in choose AMC Theatres and stream on...

Musicians Billie Eilish, Girl Gaga, Joni Mitchell and Jelly Roll will take the stage with other big names at wildfire relief performances in Los Angeles this month, organizers said on Thursday. Other acts for the fundraisers called FireAid consist of Green Day, Gracie Abrams, Katy Perry, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sting and Stevie Nicks. Dave Matthews and John Mayer will carry out together for the very first time. The shows are scheduled for Jan. 30 at the Intuit Dome and the Kia Online Forum in Inglewood, California, simply beyond Los Angeles. They will be shown in select AMC Theatres and...

The risk of effective wind gusts, integrated with bonedry humidity, in Los Angeles on Wednesday could evaluate firefighters who have been fighting to keep monstrous fires in Los Angeles in check since recently. Some 6.5 million individuals in the Los Angeles area were under a. critical fire risk as winds were anticipated to be 20 to 40 miles. ( 32-64 km) an hour with gusts as much as 70 miles per hour and humidity dropping. into the single digits, the National Weather condition Service said. The death toll from the fires rose by one on Tuesday to 25,. according to...

Yuri Williams worn a red superhero costume and transported $2,000 worth of toys to a temporary Los Angelesarea donation center on Sunday, wanting to bring cheer to individuals displaced by this week's. devastating wildfires. A kid waved and shouted Hi there, Deadpool! to Williams as he. used them crayons, street chalk, board games and more. Teenagers approached and asked for selfies. Williams was among hundreds using aid at a contribution. center staged at the Santa Anita Park racetrack in Arcadia, a. city close to the Eaton Fire. People require a diversion, and I'm here to be the. diversion, Williams said,...

Firemens raced to include the frontiers of two Los Angeles wildfires that burned for the sixth straight day on Sunday, making the most of a. short break in hazardous conditions previously high winds were. anticipated to fan the flames anew. At least 24 people have passed away in what California Governor. Gavin Newsom stated could be the most devastating natural disaster. in U.S. history, one that has actually ruined countless homes and. required 100,000 individuals to leave. Flames have actually decreased entire neighborhoods to smoldering ruins,. leveling the homes of the rich and well-known and normal folk. alike, and leaving...

Southern California Edison (SCE) said it had gotten notices from insurer to preserve proof associated to the Eaton Fire that is still burning in Los Angeles, but said no fire firms have pointed the energy's. connection to the fire. The group, an unit of U.S. utility Edison International. , said on Thursday its filing to regulators was activated. by online publications that relatively suggest the group's. equipment might have been associated with the fire's ignition. To date, no fire company has recommended that SCE's electric. centers were involved in the ignition or asked for the. elimination and retention of any...